Explosive composition



Patented May 7, 1935 to I. G. Fal'bcnindustrie Aktiengesellschaft Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany No Drawing.

Application July 14, 1933, Serial No. 680,505. In Germany August 10, 1932 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a process for the production of explosives.

As is known, objection is urged against the employment of sodium chlorate in the production 5 of explosives on the grounds that, in the presence of combustible-substances, it is sensitive to friction.

It has now been ascertained in accordance with the present invention that crystals consisting of solid solutions of sodium chlorate in sodium nitrate are insensitive to friction. Up to about 20 percent of sodium chlorate is taken up, in isomorphous admixture, by sodium nitrate on crystallization. e

It has moreover been ascertained, that sodium nitrate removes the sensitivity to friction of sodium chlorate even in the case of a mere mechanical mixture of crystals of both substances, at least up toa certain percentage proportion of the chlorate, and that the sodium nitrate can be replaced by the insensitive crystals consisting of a solid solution containing, besides sodium nitrate, the chlorate, in which latter case, thelimit of sensitivity to friction (which is about 20 percent of chlorate in mechanical mixtures of sodium chlorate and sodium nitrate) can be raised to such an extent that theresulting mixtures do not become sensitive to friction until the proportion of sodium chlorate attains 30 to 35 percent.

By using crystals consisting of the said solid solutions exclusively, the advantage is secured, by comparison with the use of mechanical mixtures, that no separation into the component parts can occur.

It has also been ascertained, as a particular advantage, that the addition of crystals consisting of solid solutions containing'sodium chlorate to explosives containing sodium nitrate, increases theblasting power (brisance) of the latter to a quite exceptional and unforeseen degree.

Examples s sodium chlorate and mixed crystals of sodium urated mixed crystals, on cooling.

by using liquid or plastic materials such as paraf-- fin, nitrated hydro-carbons and other additions used in the preparation of chlorate explosives, the chlorate content can be further increased without the explosive becoming sensitive to friction.

The solid solutions of sodium nitrate and sodium chlorate are prepared, in an extremely simple manner, by cooling saturated solutions. For example, a solution containing 38 parts of NaClOa to 62 parts of NaNO: and saturated at 100? C., furnished, on becoming cooled to 30 C., practically pure, saturated mixed crystals with the approximate compositionz-l'l percent NaClOa, 83 percent NaNOa.

If the originating solution contains a higher proportion of sodium chlorate, pure sodium chlorate separates out, in addition to the sat- If, on the other hand, the proportion of chlorate is smaller, the deposited solid solutions are unsaturated with sodium chlorate. the present invention, mixtures are to be employed in which the pure sodium nitrate is re-' placed by the solid solutions, and in which therefore pure sodium chlorate is present in addition to the solid solutions, the only originating solutions coming under practical consideration for However, since, according to the direct preparation of said mixture are-those in which an excess of sodium chlorate is prescut.

I claim:-

1. An explosive compound comprising mixed crystals consisting of a solid solution of sodium chlorate in sodium nitrate.

2. An explosive compound comprising mixed crystals consisting of a solid solution of about 20 percent of sodium chlorate in sodium nitrate.

3. An explosive compound comprising mixed crystals consisting of a solid solution of sodium chlorate in sodium nitrate and admixed therewith an amount of sodium chlorate crystals not exceeding about 20 percent by weight of said mixed crystals.

EBERHARD NEUKIRCH. 

